Next we hear from the california state president another state and local officials on federal immigration policy and how it affects their communities. From the center of American Progress in washington, this runs about an hour and half. [inaudible] good afternoon. Im the executive Vice President for external affairs at the center for American Progress. Before we begin, please join us in letting everyone know that our thoughts and prayers are with those suffering from the devastating impacts of natural disasters here in the United States, and or territories, a broad and around the world. We hope for the safety and relief of individuals, families, and communities affected. Welcome to todays timely discussion regarding state local elections to promote Public Safety and increase inclusion for immigrants in refugee communities across the country. Generations of immigrants have built and strengthened American Communities since the beginning of our nations history. At certain moments in time, and we are in one of those moments today we have experienced a pervasive and dangerous form of nationalism that has made strangers out of friends, neighbors, and beloved community members. The reality is many immigrants have come to the country seeking a more prosperous and peaceful life have instead become with the policies that fall short of true american patriotism, one which welcomes a stranger and pursues the common good. Today, will discuss estate local communities can rise above fear and hatred and come together to promote policies that support and welcome immigrants and refugees. In doing so can become a core element of how they build and foster resilient communities. As a part of welcoming week, a National Effort to celebrate welcoming policies across america were excited to partner with welcoming america to bring you a Diverse Group of local voices who are standing up against divisive rhetoric in bringing others into preserve the richness of vitality of american neighborhoods. At the center for American Progress weve highlighted the dangerous influence of anti immigrant groups on the Trump Administration immigration policy and will continue providing facts and research addressing the cost of the economy, to families and communities resulting in mass deportation policies, and expanded interior enforcement efforts. Based on the research we conduct this is what we know, contrary to this administrations claims Research Shows that undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than the usborn population. During trumps first 100 days in Office Immigration arrest rose by more than 37 despite his Campaign Promise to deport only those with criminal records his administration has made all unauthorized immigrants a priority for immigration with arrest rates more than doubling for immigrants without criminal records. Nearly 6 million u. S. Citizen children live with at least one unauthorized family member. Since election we seen reports of spikes and fear and distress among Young Children because of fears of potentially losing a loved one through deportation. The administrations decision to weeks ago to rescind the docketa program. Kicking them out of the workforce would result in the loss of more than 460 billion from our national gdp in the next ten years. In california alone, home to the largest share of docket beneficiaries removing 194,000 workers would cost more than 11. 6 billion in annual gdp losses. For states like texas where we saw dreamers risking their lives during Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, we can expect 6. 3 billion in annual losses is 108,000 workers could be removed from the labor force. Meanwhile, recent poll shows us that americans widely support given dreamers the chance to stay permanently in america including 73 of trump voters. Allowing young immigrants to stay in the United States is both more and an economic imperative. This week we released a new analysis which finds passing the dream act and placing the immediately eligible workers on a path to legal status would add at least 281 billion to the u. S. Gdp over a decade. A figure that could rise to a size 1 trillion if everyone could be eligible for the dream act is put on a path to citizenship. Today, will hear from Civic Leaders and lawenforcement officials from places as diverse of texas, iowa, california and in the district of columbia as they share experiences and lessons with us. First, its my pleasure to introduce a welcome California Senate pro tem, senator dealio. He has paved the way for smart, progressive policies that serve as National Models. Just a few days ago his senate bill 54, the california value sect deemed the most comprehensive bill to protect undocumented immigrants residing in the state, cleared the state legislator and is now pending jerry browns signature. This would ensure undocumented friends, neighbors, coworkers in california are able to live their lives and interact with lawenforcement without fear of deportation. This is the first groundbreaking policy senator has worked on. In 2016 he negotiated with Governor Brown and the state union to secure a 15dollar minimum wage law and senator daly was instrumental in the establishment of californias secure Choice Retirement Savings Program which assists retirees and is a National Model for retirement security. He is also a National Leader on Climate Policy and the first latino to ever hold the position of president pro tem of the state senate. Please join me in welcoming kevin. [applause] thank you very much. I want to associate my comments with tears in a call on behalf of the state of california our deepest condolences to the people of mexico. Ive already been in touch with the governor who happens to be in new york or connecticut as we speak. To see what is it that we can do is a state to provide our neighbors with assistant needed in this difficult tragedy and mexico. Well be in touch with the mexican so thank you very much for bringing this up. I want to thank you all for inviting me to join you here today. I want to thank you for the kind introduction. Im very proud to be here at the center for American Progress. It has become progressive thought and policy less than 15 years since its founding. I think you for the tremendous work that you do. I cannot tell you how valuable it is as a lawmaker to have credible, rigorous thirdparty analysis on issues like immigration, health care, as well as Climate Change. The California State Legislature just concluded its work for the year. Im biased of course but i believe firmly this was truly a historic productive session. From record investments in Public Education and vital infrastructure like affordable housing, transportation, parks and water toward extension of californias landmark cap and trade program in the single largest investment in clean air and state history. We took important steps to preserve the character of our state. The qualities that make california a very special place. From the outset we made it clear we would protect our people and our progress for obvious reasons immigration was front and center. For those familiar with the complicated history from the chinese exclusion act to pete wilsons proposition in the early 90s which cut off access to Public Education, healthcare and other services we have not always been as tolerant and welcoming to immigrants as we are now. What is past is a difficult history has a form does each step of the way. We learned her lesson the hard way. We know that tearing apart honest hardworking families is not the answer. Separating mothers from their children is no solution. It doesnt make it safer, doesnt bring back jobs to solve economic challenges. In fact, i would argue it does the opposite. It undermines our prosperity, it makes us less safe because it hurts the trust that lawenforcement has worked so hard to build with immigrant communities throughout the country. That difficult chapter in our history continues we still have not recovered from the backlash after more than 20 years from proposition 187. In fact, it was in response to proposition 187 in the anti immigrant wave in the 90s that i first became politically active. It was a turning point for me personally just as it was for the state of california. I believe california is a bellwether for the nation on this issue. Of course, this president brought back those painful memories and exploited deepseated tensions to win his office. Since taking office weve see more of this detestable Campaign Rhetoric put into action from the muslim ban to the most recent decision to end daca. We knew we had to be decisive. It took the extraordinary position to hire outside counsel. That outside counsel is the former he attorney general of the United States, eric holder. To help informative isa legislature on this issue as well as many other issues. We set toward building a wall of resistance to the hateful, destructive and shortsighted agenda currently prevailing here in washington. We have filed a number of lawsuits in consultation with mr. Holder as well as her state attorney general. Weve expanded access to Legal Counsel for those immigrants residing in the state of california to ensure due process for all. We pass my bill, senate bill 54 also known as a sanctuary staple to ensure that state and local Law Enforcement agencies focus solely on their duty to protect and serve our communities regardless of who you are and where you come from, your native language, regardless of who you like. Senate bill 54 prohibits lawenforcement agencies include School School please from using resources to enforce federal immigration laws. It creates safe zones that are schools hospitals, churches courthouse is another sensitive locations sort immigrant communities can live their lives and conduct important business free of fear. It is being called the sanctuary state law. I want to be clear in the record its a misnomer. There is no such thing as a sanctuary city or sanctuary state. Is not such thing as a false invisible wall. That if you get behind it somehow youll be free. The reality is this is not lost on me but the x federal government has exclusive jurisdiction over federal immigration law. That doesnt mean that local governments are state governments have to be an extension or as i call it a deportation machine. Doesnt mean they have to be double taxed and that local tax dollars that should be utilized for local police to protect and serve all communities are now being the utilized to be an extension of the federal immigration authorities. We should not be double taxed or have local Police Officers abandoned the responsibilities and duties to help set up a perimeter around an elementary school, waiting for mothers to pick up their children after school. Thats not who we are as a state, its not who we are as a great country. What the measure really does is prevent the type of situation you had in arizona with the disgrace of sheriff joe arpaio. Prevents lawenforcement for arresting any person for civil immigration. It ensures our Public Safety officers and resources are not commandeered by the federal government for the purpose of mass deportation. This was a very hardfought compromise with our governor and the lawenforcement community. Its not as expansive as it originally was that i think the final product strikes the critical balance between Public Safety and protecting our values is a state that welcomes immigrant communities. We secured 30 million for Legal Assistance for daca students in california. Im under no illusions that these steps are enough to solve our challenges. Clearly there should be sensible limits on immigration. Its the responsibility of the federal government to set those limits. We can agree that we need comprehensive reform, clear, predictable and fair guidelines which secures our borders and provides a pathway to legal residency and citizenship. But we have a problem. The situation is we have a congress who has advocated the responsibility to do their job, roll up their sleeves and get a comprehensive Immigration Reform package across the desk to the president. Let me be clear, the new president wants to wage a campaign of fear against innocent families, he can count us out. We will not lift a finger or spend a single cent. We will not allow one election to reverse generations of progress at the height of our historic diversity, or scientific advantage. In our sense of global responsibility. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect all californians until congress does. The state of california today is the sixth largest economy in the entire world. We are the epicenter of innovation and inclusivity. We didnt get there by embracing alternative facts through scientific nonsense. In this state we make policy based on facts as well as science. We dont govern by giving because you cant run a Global Economy by stoking hatred as well as division. The great state of california is a beautiful mosaic, an amazing tapestry. Whether your ancestry originates from scotland, United Kingdom iraq ireland or central america, russia, China Vietnam south korea or elsewhere. Its a state of inclusivity and diversity. That is the key to our success. In the six largest economy in the world. There are only five larger economies in the world, the United States is a hole in the aggregate, china, japan and depending on the date the United Kingdom. Then it is your great state, the state of california. If youre interested in room rounding out the top ten we have number seven, france, brazil, a nation thats new quite a bit, russia and then we have so californias economy is bigger than russias. This is what it means for california to embrace people from all over the world who want to come to our country, who want to come to her state, who want to work hard and give their children a better future. Reese backed our laws, pivot taxes and pledge their allegiance to the red white blue. When you have a president who says we have 11 million or 13 million on document immigrants who are criminal felons that is not true. There perpetuated this for a very long time. This threatens our Economic Prosperity as a state. I values as well as our people. This country is greater than anyone manner party. Want to finish by saying the following. To all of the dreamers have been betrayed by this president. Let me end by saying to those dreamers who have been bullied, demeaned, downsized or told they are dispensable just because theyre different. Whether that came from appear or the president know one thing, america is bigger than one man or one party. America will always be an exceptional example that you can be whoever you are a new can dream of being whoever you want to be. Thank you very much. [applause] [applause] [applause] i want to thank you for your remarks. Thank you for joining us. Im the Vice President on immigration policy. Joining me on the stage and three terrific panelists will have really good conversation and at the end will have time for questions at the audience. To my left is monica the director of the Washington Office for welcoming america with whom we partner to bring this event. We have the first director for the city of dallas texas, on the end we have mark prosser, the Longtime Police chief in Public Safety director from storm lake, iowa. From our viewing audience on social media, you can join the conversation on twitter with the welcoming week. As you mentioned during the opening remarks this is taking place in the middle welcoming week. Is something that we help put on every year the highlight being done every year around the country. On asked a question for of each of the panelists. The start of with following up with your remarks. This is a very impactful legislative session. The values act which just got passed by the Legislature Last week was the process of a lot of negotiation. Thinking through the moment we are in now and what states like california i want you to talk about what lessons you learn from that process that you could drop out from future efforts are potentially could be useful for individuals who might be useful, but lessons you have learned and if there are things in your own process that you can learn from . You do have to build the site simple coalition. Not just immigrant advocates for those in the legal space but clergy, faith, all denominations. And obviously the Islamic Community in the jewish community. In the Christian Faith labor unions and that Health Sector and educational sector. In a folks who are chancellors of universities, of College Systems whether Community College or private nonprofits. You have to amplify a coalition. Not just exclusive to immigrants and also engaged in lawenforcement. You have to engage what hopefully will be a very constructive engagement. I had the pleasure of engaging with the Police Chiefs of the major cities and small cities in california. Police chiefs tend to be more methodical. They tend to be more thoughtful, solution oriented individuals. Theres other limits within the community that are highly politicized i say so because sheriffs are elected, theyre not selected by mayors are accountable to please Commissioners City Council or city manager. But you do have to engage in earnest negotiations. In your own colleagues and peers, within your own party and legislative branch. And bring them along to. The dialogue is so polarizing that this is becoming the modern 2. 0 version of willie horton. And they have really made the narrative such that this is all what immigrants do here and whether its california, texas, iowa. So amplify your coalition and make sure its cold multifaceted. Youre not can agree with everything but theyll be things youll walk away with something siler. One thing other very quickly is the multitask coalition between the fence, states and local governments on issues of Human Trafficking and International Drug cartels as well as terrorist cells and you dont want an unintended consequence prohibiting that as i is is not primarily for deportation purposes. I listen to Police Chiefs and others say you are right, we have to fix and change that because god forbid we dont wanna prohibit collaboration if theres a terrorist cell within your own backyard. I grew as a result. Thank you. The question i was asking is similar, you had the senators remarks about california. It texted a very different environment. The california texas has gone in the opposite direction at the state level. You seem the office leading the charge against the daca, theres a law that would radically change the way state and local Law Enforcements interact with their communities. The city was involved in a lawsuit challenged this now largely been enjoyed. But can you talk about in the current environment that were in in the state level, how are you approaching your job of setting up from the ground up this office for Environmental Affairs and what can you drop down from other cities. Thank you for the question and thank you for this important and timely conversation. And acknowledged welcoming america, their Standout International organization that provides city for the states and regions who are interested. So how do you develop that programming around the states. So this is been a great source for our students. We just received a grant to look at our economy and how it divides as a result of immigration in the labor force associated with it. Looking forward to moving into that space. Something that generated over a period of time, as part of that Advocacy Committee led by the National Council of jewish women they would turn mayors said we need an office of immigration affairs, lets do this. It didnt happen at the time but the idea started germinating and recently the mayor had a task force on poverty addressing the issues and root causes of poverty. In some of that was how do we get around services that would lift people out of the shadow and out of poverty mainly through citizen workshops, we have a large working poor population how do you support that to move beyond existing and economic success. Out of that recommendation i think this office where he came from a community and our mayor and city council say less be proactive. We recognize that one in four of us was born in another country. Specifically going back to the current moment, is very helpful, how hyper local these conversations are. So looking at dallas how do you think about approaching your work in building out the policies . You cannot operate in a state of fear. How do we get around these issues in spite of this. Its working handinhand with Law Enforcement in our library looking at it how do we get more and inclusive is such an important part 25 we do have lawenforcement on the panel and we appreciate you being here, they said states of the smallest share during the greatest support of the hardest line most of us think of large cities when we think of from a small town like sir micah away i was wondering if you could talk to what your experience has been with immigrants over the years . Understand its been a long process coming into the city and how that process has been. One might ask why somebody from a community of 14000 people in northwest iowa would be sitting on this panel. To your initial question why some states or jurisdictions have not experienced the beauty of diversity in their community might have it more hardline view i think its not under radar they havent experienced it. Storm lakes over the past 20 years there pk 12 is 19 languages spoken in the classroom. We are not attached in the urban area, we sit in it northwest iowa. The conversations on immigration in the midwest in Rural America we see communities with empty homes consolidating School District in storm like i will we have numerous schools that are overflowing are ready. The challenges that we have a housing crunch and a need for more housing because the manufacturers want to expand but we dont have the homes and apartments to put people. In my opinion its a better problem to have all of that growth we experienced over three plus decades has our number one challenge has not been crime, it has been language. The ability to communicate with people and have the resources to learn their languages and provide services to folks who we may not have the interpreters, that is but our number one challenge. Have we seen an increase in crime in our community . Yes. Not because of the change in demographics, the communities go, we have Larger Population that push numbers up. Were one of the few agencies and i would that report out our crime stats by ethnicity and gender. We have never in my tenure have ever had a year a pretty much rule of thumb it doesnt matter what ethnic group you are, about 1 of the people require you to have a Police Department and the rest of the folks are good hardworking people. The same in a large city or small town. This conversation is important because are many different ethnic groups have brought us growth, they brought us vibrant, the senator spoke of a mosaic, i wanted to raise my hand when he was teaching or sharing some of the statements i have used about what storm like has become. So were proud of that community. It has its challenges but the entire conversation about immigration weather changing impact on refugees or changing the daca program, it has a huge impact on the citizens or community and theyre concerned about it. When your citizens are concerned that impacts their health, and impacts the children in the schools. Source school administrators, Church Leaders and elected officials are very concerned about it. Its been a great plus for city. Its amazing to hear about those that are in storm like iowa who dont know how to think about nine where you are now is very helpful but also understanding how you got there could be enlightening. Can you talk about what the process has been like . Keep in a government for a lot of that time its not always easy but what the process is like and how you got where you are today. Whether government or nonprofit driven that have helped to. I dont think we have enough time to adequately answer that. Its been a learning process and learning curve with successes and failures. Give you some examples that expand 30 years that ive shared with other groups. In northwest iowa, one of the big social events were potluck dinners. Whether church or your communi community. As we experience diversity in your community we created a Diversity Task force. On one note on the Diversity Task force it was all white. That was a learning experience. Trying to make decisions and move forward to folks who were not white. That in itself was a learning experience. Were trying to bring new friends and community and in many cases the function of different ethnic groups did not attend. So for conversations within that culturally depending on the part of the world to our from its not normal to throw party and asked the guests to bring the meat. Its baby steps you might imagine in a Small Community that we learn from. From a lawenforcement standpoint we had some criminal activity and we required an ethiopian interpreter. Weve had anything up in interpreter but he was a witness to the incident so we couldnt use them the purpose of dealing with the investigation. Sir nice supervisor cannot find an ethiopian interpreter through the morning in storm lake, iowa so he called the somalian interpreter with the assumption that theyre all from the same part of the country. Completely done for the right reasons but it was a learning curve. So weve had these instances. I could share a lot of learning. We werent afraid to buyer mistakes and do better the next time. The next and most important thing we learned is that many citizens down to business like born and raised caucasian citizens to the United States. They dont come to city council meetings. They dont voice their opinion in the Mayors Office or the Police Chiefs office. We tried some events that were failures. Tried to take this on the road to the but we didnt recognize what was going on in their lives. Making a long story short weve enhanced our Community Outreach to the point that we know set up portable offices block by block or not there because of an accident extender crisis. We roll in with police and other social Service Agencies will start knocking on doors. We have traditional pens and pencils but we find out if we get the kids their mom and dad will follow. In the first few years folks looked at us like were nuts. Another coming out and share the concerns in the community. Doing that and using focus groups theres more of a Comfort Level there. In working with our different ethnic groups. Theres just one lesson after another and we continue to modify those things. There couple of examples really dealing with international neighbors. This will helpful to hear. You given us this Technical Assistance that a concrete level, can you talk about welcome america with nonprofit organizations, community more organizations. Can you talk about what we can expect to see around the country as part of this week and how you are approaching your work in this current environment . You can expect people to change on their own. When the neighborhood looks different than you ever seen it then people need to get to know one another to realize they are more alike than we are different with the Communications Campaign the and how they tie those values of who they are . And also local leadership with mayors of our business leaders. And to build a coalition so what ended up happening is the bill failed and the National Chamber of commerce was suing for business in a way that never have before that it was a welcoming community celebrating diversity. So if you fast forward a couple of years that looking at things that need to build bridges and how you talk about you to start making some of those changes where immigrants and refugees can survive. Everyone were immigrants and in refugees in the community but if we really want a socially cohesive environment and rework with 200 different communities around the country some as diverse of california or los angeles and earlier we were talking about des moines and i was bored dayton ohio or in anchorage alaska. And i mention these places we have seen in this local trend while federal Immigration Reform is to find ways to better incorporate what local leaders are doing. To focus on education for english class is or engagement or citizenship . Who do you know, who to call when the water is now working . Everyone feels that they are contributing. And it is so critical to the mission of our organization that goes back to the ada to encourage every day people to welcome their neighbor. But we have Community Groups doing this as well. And then this is the sixth year were doing this in charlotte with 324 unique post so despite the negative rhetoric that the local level there is a different story they want to celebrate the diverse in their community. So how do you go about that process and we talked about with her teen harvey how they were affected by the storm how do you approach that moment . Period that is when Technical Assistance becomes so important with that opportunity and education theyre all intertwined at any juncture so how do we make this more inclusive to have skin in the game . So that is our goal at the same time in dealing with external forces with that is the whole point to be available to the residents to make sure they feel welcome and experience the relationship we often hear this group doesnt but maybe you have to rethink the way youre doing it so we did receive many evacuation but then we shifted to Emergency Management lets make sure your office is on site because it was a little bit different situation there was a lot of immigrants because they have the greatest number of immigrants in the houston area. So working with First Responders or with the local consulate in with the emergency relief assistance and then were making sure were there to help people. One of the court points we try to stress upon is the office of the immigrant affairs because of were not changing, were delivering services were not doing our jobs. And to have day lang bridge capability. And then going three phone calls in spanish per week that was reflective of the population we were not doing our job. And that the senator mentioned us not just the internal organizing that you are bringing to the table with a welcoming place and exclusive community. So to figure out to come up with a Strategic Plan and with the civic and gauge and. And that is a way to. The community for word. Struck by the earlier conversation to work with state Law Enforcement into california to get that agreement so i remember that press conference so in this administration with day really rapid increase so the importance of the recovery of values act when you have those 800,000 individuals that are undocumented in the upcoming months with 430,000 individuals maybe they have been here 20 years with the multiple status of working. In that environment. Let me put this into context. What bc if i can successfully complete the circle. Such talk about daca or the dreamers. Said without official work permit. So with that of former attorney general eric holder. So i feel very comfortable from the department of justice. So as rigo through the every appeal process so we feel very comfortable is constitutional. And then give credit like i said earlier. And with those critical results that is polarizing that situation. And with eric holder. Initiative is imperative to protect the 98 percent of the hardworking individuals and that if trump attempts to deputize handed california you cannot do so. Whether South Carolina or mississippi. And giving to cities in texas like dallas or houston or san antonio. And with the attorney general and the counterpart with that chief architect and then to oppose the universe if you will. Although we should not a lot of the way to hurt people. And to hurt as Economic Prosperity. People have been here 10 or 25 years but the full circle as we are out today. Washington is a source of the problem. And that is manifested in local cities or states because they cannot get their act together. To have many states and counties across the country with this patchwork that arthur draconian. And then other progressive people and then atlanta. Very progressive. Sova met with day governor and the attorney general because the in your state is 1. 4 billion. But to count on to hands but you are true hawaiian and true american. This is what america is all about. And that speaks volumes. With those immigrants to understand and recognize. With my ex brotherinlaw who used to working in the slaughterhouse in iowa. But there were cities and counties our economically depressed. With the small towns and counties. And to bond together. And then to have politicians and even in california. And in the southeastern cities. If they lose their wife or kids or house or everything. To adjust to numb the pain. With a proactive solution to provide for economic growth. One group against another to say you are economically depressed. Who speak different or are coming from different. But i would say regardless it is still the greatest country on earth to reassure we respect exclusivity and diversity. And those local leaders as Police Chiefs are forward thinking these are the Great Stories regardless of who occupies the white house. And because of they normalized that status. So a little bit of that. And then to bully states than a local Law Enforcement. And then to cooperate with those terrorist some measures. With those executive orders to jeopardize with states and localities. And in furtherance of their policy. So the role of the federal government so with that relationship. I fecit is status state and National Level attempting to legislate. And lawenforcement is local. With our communities a and city council to dictate and create a philosophy how we want that to operate. And did my a opinion with fear of local control. And how they administer so there is a contradiction in our country so True Community policing with the public he or she serves. But True Community policing is all about relationships. So the best way to enhance that is to have good relationships with the people you serve. And to create those relationships but that impacts the efforts of enhancing the safety and security of the community. And for a variety of reasons some of which to have those communities rise up and demonstrate with larger or more urban areas. They have waited on that that perhaps local Law Enforcement and to have communications. And in some cases it needs to do better. And to create those relationships and on the other side to have a National Debate and then to impact that the ability. With every betty invested . We do have anybody and everybody that comes to work and live and play that we are there to serve them whether it is the daca debate but coming from a national perspective. I employed to serve anybody and everybody. And then openly to tell the community that. So with the daca debate with that current state of play. This will be expiring before march with and to see this effort in california recently helping with Financial Assistance with all of the new applications. By december there will be a Building Campaign with that coalition so i am curious to hear in your courage roles how you are engaging in the conversation talking through practical solutions. Is it a ticking time bomb or the opportunity . I am speaking on behalf of daca i have a sense nobody wants to punish people in that particular dynamic so if we approach that it will be a ticking time bomb but that opportunity to move forward to help this group of people is an opportunity. The issue is that they have to compromise and go to an area that takes care of these children and young adults so i air preferred to approach it from my glass half full. So there is no need to terminate daca for the gold purposes it is just political so to be clear about that. This is a pure political decision. The that department of justice with that appellate process and Jeff Sessions is an outspoken critic of daca or any type of Immigration Reform package. Bin did not have to do it. And then as it expires for young men and women. And then to plant over to congress and to take care of that right now. So with any complex policy measures. And with complete control of congress and the u. S. Senate. And we can go through whole laundry list. As polarizing as this issue is with the Freedom Caucus will allow paul ryan to afford. And then to have that confidence. And then where negotiating against yourself and then to have that temporary compromise. Began to find that temporary compromise so those from daca have no fathers or mothers because that was his choice and decision. Because he will be true you in a heartbeat. During the course of the president ial primary. So when you saw the way he treated republicans to conquest and the feet and to be driven by forces right now. There is more the past 50 years to tear tajo to tear at the fiber it among negative up the fabric. Because this is common sense. Mattis is a huge accomplishment. And is very disappointing. But i dont think they have a desire to make that capacity. I would say daca is very important to our state people that have daca projections are valedictorians or members of the armed forces and professionals but these are no longer children they are fighting the good fight a very vibrant use leadership and isnt about what day have for that coalition and with that economic imperative. Entry errors are such a vital part what are the best ways to support the local leadership . And so that information be put out has been incredible. Right where they want to point to that having Daca Recipients are critical to keep them is in the best interest for the country in general. How do we support getting that message out . Soon to open the conversation a little bit. Please start off with your name and affiliation. A wonderful presentation if the courts had ruled those that want to grant citizenship to daca and refused to let local Law Enforcement by the Justice Department have the right to do so there would be denied citizenship to have no objection to local Law Enforcement to is see what happens in so a the consequence of this federalist approach . That do think local Law Enforcement should never be deputized and daca people but suppose the Supreme Court rules not on this approach. Bad is an intriguing question. Federalism was used quite successfully and then put the ag against the obama administration. And many other states around the country. Is a doubleedged sword if it would come to fruition those that respect and believe those that pledge allegiance either with legal residency a less there is a constitutional change from the flip side if they are not is forward thinking or as inclusive with those draconian measures that is a very good question. If we manage fayette manifested in different ways of the of reflection of the of value of politicians on the spectrum whether the left or the right there is a handful of republicans in both chambers but that hard extreme right is within the g. O. P. To hijack the policy debates in feature of being ostracized you pose the intriguing question. But it is a legitimate question to ask. I did challenge the senators statement i do not disagree with that except from those in the various states. And they believe those that did not vote for him or her did not matter because afterwards they go way and are silent they are more worried about of coke brothers them their constituents so with that hca debate we saw people who did not broach the tried to get him to a town hall meeting so to me there is such a problem in washington this isnt it emboldened with the apathy of the various people . With the civil rights issues weather Climate Change i do believe it is incumbent to move forward on this agenda and should be driven by the constituent calls this is a lingering issue for decades to be spread across the board without question. And through the executive order it was the dreamers themselves at the Grassroots Movement with that vertical chain. I dont think apathy is a justification we see that issue even though republicans with the Electoral College they said we agree. Lawabiding talk taxpaying residents because they are here. Now we have the Trump Administration to divide this country as if we support separate mothers from their children that somehow the air will get cleaner or be good to drink creating prosperity. We know it is a false promise and stoking the flames of hatred and division for this country. I have seen this in the past is a shortterm victory if i say that to my friends it does not end up well. Please. It will not and will for you. It will be a high cost. I see this objectively. In california we sent a republican to president. Nixon. We have had pete wilson and others and Arnold Schwarzenegger that has changed and that bellwether changed though holding a of a completely people were so offended you with a lot of your way to provide Simplistic Solutions to complex issues and for them to be agnostic altogether. But many communities parts of california as well but that will not solve any of the deals. I did go wrong your question but i dont think apathy should be the driver so just get done what you need to do it is irresponsibility. Thanks for coming to the event. If you want to follow along we have the archived video on the web site. [applause] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] good morning welcome to the Heritage Fund agent also those who are joining us with the cspan network. We ask matt kurtis the check mobile the violet devices